When Tanyard Heather Won The Laurels

When Tanyard heather won the Laurels to a huge ovation from the crowd
His owner Pat Cashman from Millstreet had reason to feel proud
When the son of Clonbanin Chariot raced into canine history
And equalled the Cork track record in a marvellous victory.

He left traps like a rocket and was first at every bend
But the brindled Duhallow flying machine was not the bookies friend
For he started as the favourite and the punters got it right
And for his many connections 'twas a memorable night

In the story of Tanyard Heather there is material for a song
Bred by the Clonbanin breeder the likeable Con Long
In mating his brood bitch Clonbanin Chariot to the speedy Oregon Prince
He bred for dogs with early speed which made a lot of sense.

Heather was the small pup of his litter or so the story go
But size doesn't guarantee success as greyhound people know
The dog who leads to the first bend and sets the early pace
Is the hardest dog of all to beat in a middle distance race.

The small pup of the litter doesn't always remain the runt
And Heather at the first bend was always lengths in front
He finished third in the Derby final 'luck to him was unkind'
He missed his break but still took the lead and was beaten from behind.

In the mid sixties when Heather won the Laurels the school going boys back then
Might now be young grand fathers and ageing balding men
For time goes by so quickly those three decades seemed to fly
And the balding man with silver hair was then a teenage boy.

When Tanyard Heather won the Laurels the punters they did cheer
But the bookies were not smiling his victory cost them dear
And Pat Cashman felt so happy he laughed loud in delight
In one of his finest moments if not his greatest night.